Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Bordeaux~Graves L

 Arrival at Bordeaux airport or train station, where you’ll be greeted by your English-speaking, wine expert guide/driver.
 Travel south to the vineyards of the Graves Region. The Romans planted some of the first vineyards in the
Bordeaux area here, just outside what is now the city limits. Here you will be the guests of Classified Grand Cru
Chateau, such as Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte or Chateau La Louviere where a great tour and tasting awaits you.
 Enjoy a welcome lunch at a local restaurant in the area, with a possible tour and tasting at another Classified Cru
Chateau or if you prefer, a Classified Grand Cru Chateau such as Chateau Suduiraut or Giraud in Sauternes.
 Check in late afternoon to your luxury hotel: the centrally located 5* Grand Hotel de Bordeaux and Spa.
 Enjoy dinner (not included) tonight at your hotel’s fabulous restaurant, or in one of Bordeaux city’s many fine restaurants.

Day 2 The Mighty Medoc: Margaux and Pauillac B

Today we explore the Médoc, world-renowned for its Classified Growth chateaux, following the “Route des
Chateaux” through the famous villages of Margaux and Saint Julien.
 Your first tour and tasting will be at a Grand Cru chateaux as their VIP guests in Margaux: such as Chateau
Palmer or Kirwan.
 Enjoy a lovely lunch (not included) at one of the finest restaurants in the area, a favorite of local winemakers.
 This afternoon, you’ll enjoy 1-2 tours and tastings at a Grand Cru property as VIP guests at estates such as
Chateau Pichon Lalande, Chateau Lynch Bages or Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste. We will provide an
itinerary for the day that allows for variety in estates visited in different appellations to help uncover the nuances of
each appellation. Typically we focus this day around Margaux and Pauillac.
 Return to your hotel in the late afternoon for evening on your own.

Day 3 The Mighty Medoc: St. Estephe and St. Julien B

Today we return to the Médoc, to discover St. Julien and St. Estephe. Saint-Julien is considered by some the right
balance between Pauillac and Margaux. Saint-Estèphe wines are very colored, earthy,robust and tannic. They
reach their maturity slower than other Médoc wines.
 Our explorations in the Médoc start in St. Estephe with a tasting at one of the elite group of nine Cru Bourgeois
Exceptionnels, Chateau Phélan Ségur or Chateau Haut Marbuzet.
 Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant featuring specialties of the region.
 This afternoon, you’ll visit one of the finest chateaux in Saint Julien (usually Léoville Las Cases, Gruaud Larose
or Ducru Beaucaillou).
 Check in late afternoon to your second 4-star luxury Chateau Hotel and Spa Grand Barrail in St. Emilion.
 Dinner is on your own tonight at the hotel or one of Saint Emilion. (You are welcome to stay in one hotel during the
entire stay if you prefer)

Day 4 St. Emilion B
 Known since Roman times for the quality of its wines, the village and vineyards of Saint Emilion are designated
today as a UN ESCO World Heritage Site.
 Saint Emilion has some of Bordeaux’s oldest vineyards, producing well-structured wines with great character that
comes from a judicious blending of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes.
 VIP tours and tastings at two great Grand Cru estates await you this morning, like Chateau Franc Mayne with
its ancient underground cellars, or the great 1st Growths Clos Fourtet, Chateau Angelus or Chateau Canon.
 Following lunch on own, explore the beautiful medieval village on your own, its monuments and its many shops
and galleries (including some of the region’s best wine shops).
 We suggest your final dinner at the restaurant of the hotel, one of the most coveted tables of the area.


Day 5 Pomerol~Transfer B, L

This morning discover the other prestigious appellation of this area, Pomerol. This tiny appellation is considered
the world’s preeminent terroir for Merlot, producing wines of great character and complexity.
 Although it seems very understated, this appellation is home to some of the most famous cult wines, including Petrus
and Le Pin.
 Two tours and tastings await you today in Pomerol as you round out your week of wine discovery in the Bordeaux
region. Enjoy tours and tastings at some of the best estates of the region including estates such as Chateau Petit
Village or Le Bon Pasteur.
 End your day with a farewell lunch and a transfer to the Bordeaux St. Jean Train Station or Bordeaux Merignac
Airport. Continue your journeys with fond memories of Bordeaux and all its splendor.

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